2016 Macedonian protests


In April 2016, protests began in the Republic of Macedonia against the incumbent President Gjorgje Ivanov and the government led by the interim Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev from the ruling VMRO-DPMNE party. Referred to by some as the Colorful Revolution, the protests have started after the controversial decision by President Gjorgje Ivanov to stop the investigation against former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and dozens of politicians who were allegedly involved in a wiretapping scandal. The demonstrations were organized by "Protestiram" and supported from coalition led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia, and other opposition parties, also the newly formed Levica demanding that the government resigns for the formation of a technical government, and that the parliamentary elections planned for 5 June 2016 are cancelled, on the grounds that the conditions for free and transparent elections are not in place. The government and its supporters, who have organized pro-government rallies, maintain that the elections on June 5 are the only solution to the political crisis, with some observers blaming the opposition for creating a "Ukraine scenario" in Macedonia.
Initially taking place in Skopje, the capital, both anti- and pro-government protests have also occurred in other cities in the country, including Bitola, Kicevo, Kočani, Veles, Strumica, Prilep, Kumanovo and Tetovo. Thousands of people have taken part in the demonstrations. The European Union and the United States criticized the government of Macedonia for the pardon of the politicians and stated that Macedonia's prospects of becoming a member of the EU and NATO were under threat because of it. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia labelled the Macedonian opposition as a tool of foreign powers being used to destabilize the political situation in the country.

Background

Large protests occurred in May 2015 in the Republic of Macedonia against the government of Prime Minister of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, following the publication of information by opposition leader Zoran Zaev that suggested Gruevski had thousands of Macedonian citizens wiretapped. Many people protested against alleged government corruption, with estimates putting the number of demonstrators in the tens of thousands, demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. Pro-government rallies occurred as well, which also had tens of thousands attendees. An agreement, brokered by the European Union and the United States, was worked on in June and July 2015. As part of the agreement, Gruevski resigned in January 2016 and pledged to hold early elections, which were decided on later that year to be held on June 5.
On 12 April 2016 President of Macedonia Gjorge Ivanov halted judicial inquiries into 56 officials suspected of involvement in the wiretapping scandal. Ivanov stated to have done so in the best interest of the country, and to end the political crisis. His party of appointment, the VMRO-DPMNE allegedly did not agree with his action. Opposition leader Zoran Zaev subsequently called for supporting anti-government protests organized by NGOs. A demonstration occurred in Skopje on 13 April, with the presidential offices being attacked by rioters and several people detained.

The protests

Demonstrations have begun on 12 April 2016, with reports suggesting that about 4,000+ people took part. Crowds broke through a police cordon towards government buildings, throwing flares at President Ivanov's offices and burning portraits of him. There were a number of injuries and 12 people were detained by police. More actions occurred on 14 April, with five police officers being injured from people throwing rocks and one protester being detained. The demonstration that occurred on 16 April and ended peacefully, but on 17 April protesters threw eggs and stones at the triumphal arc on Skopje. Thousands of people demonstrated in Skopje on 15 April, carrying white flags and banners. On 18 April, it was reported that more than ten thousand people took part in demonstrations in Skopje, with protests also happening in other cities of Macedonia.
The protest on 19 April began in front of the special prosecutor's office, preceded to parliament and was stopped by police before reaching the EU mission. It numbered in the thousands. Several thousand people turned out for demonstrations on the eighth day of the protest, 20 April. At this point, throwing colours at various governmental buildings and monuments of the Skopje 2014 project had become a regular feature at the protests, and the term „colourful revolution“ gained some popularity among the protesters and the social media. The eight day journalists began referring to the protests as „colorful revolution“ - with Kristina Ozimec's article for Deutsche Welle being the first to use the term. Also on that day, Zaev announced that he would not be willing to take part in EU-brokered talks in Vienna unless certain conditions are met. On 21 April, two rallies were held near each other in Skopje, each attended by thousands of people. One was anti-government, organized by the SDSM and the "Protestiram" organization, while the second was organized by the Citizens for Macedonian Defense, supported by the ruling VMRO party. The anti-government protest started in front of the special prosecutor's building, where protesters shouted "No Justice No Peace" and "Support the SJO". The pro-government protesters shouted "No one can harm you Nikola" and carried anti-NATO banners. On 22 April in 11 cities in Macedonia there was big anti government demonstrations organized by "Protestiram" organization and supported by united opposition of Macedonia. On the same day European Union announced sanctions for politics and persons from VMRO-DPMNE.
On 23 April the anti-government protests continued in several cities in the country. Next day, Zdravko Saveski, member of the collective presidency of the left-wing party Levica and one other member of the same party were put in house custody. Previously, three more protesters were put in house custody. The protests organized by "Protestiram" and supported by the opposition and nongovernmental organizations continued in several cities and the between 15,000 and 20,000 demonstrators in Skopje protest in front of the parliament, the several ministry, and in front of the government. On 25 April a large pro-government rally occurred in Bitola, organized by the Citizens for Macedonian Defense, with thousands in attendance. They rallied in support of the planned parliamentary elections on June 5. On Tuesday, 26 April the anti-government protests begin in new 3 cities: Tetovo, Kicevo and Radovis, and this day there was protest in 15 cities in Macedonia. There was a pro-government rally on April 27, organized by GDOM in the city of Kicevo in support of the planned parliamentary elections on June 5. The anti-government protests continued after the holidays on 2 and 3 May in Skopje, Tetovo, Bitola, Prilep, Strumica, Kumanovo and Gevgelija. In Skopje demonstrators protests in front of parliament, government and courts.
On 4 May farmers join the "Protestiram" movement with road block in the country. Also on that day, mass pro-government demonstrations organized by the GDOM occurred in Bitola, Stip, Veles, Delcevo, Gevgelija, Strumica, Kumanovo, Tetovo and Radovis, in support of the June 5 elections. A spokesperson for the GDOM told the media that they needed to prevent destructive scenarios and allow the people to make their decision by voting in the scheduled elections. On 6 May 2016 there were anti-government protests in 14 cities around the country. In Skopje demonstrators with symbols of resistance, and the sung the resistance song "Bella Ciao" in front of the parliament and the government. On May 5, the government of Germany appointed a special envoy, the former German ambassador to Yugoslavia, to help resolve the political crisis. Another GDOM demonstration occurred in Bitola on May 7. On 9 May thousands demonstrators in Skopje with Macedonian and EU flags, songs and resistance symbols protested in front of the parliament and government buildings. That day also there is anti-government demonstrations in 11 other cities in the country including Strumica, Bitola, Prilep and Berovo.
On 12 May the demonstrators protests in several cities in country. In Skopje thousands of demonstrators protests in front of home of former prime minister and leader of VMRO-DPMNE. The anti-government protests continued and on 14 May there was anti-government protests in 12 cities. In Skopje, Prilep and Strumica this day the numbers of anti-government demonstrations was thousands. On the same day there was two GDOM pro-government protests in Kicevo and Bitola. Also, on same day state election commission released that only two parties including VMRO-DPMNE submitted lists for elections. The SDSM and 16 parties part of 'platform for democratic Macedonia', ruling Democratic Union for Integration, Democratic Party of Albanians, "Levica" and others opposition parties in country don't submitted election lists and decided to boycott because as all they say there isn't minimal conditions to free, fair and democracy elections. Next day world media released that VMRO-DPMNE is only party running and that elections must be postponed because according to constitution of Republic of Macedonia on elections must be running more than one party. On 18 May, the Constitutional court of Republic of Macedonia canceled the elections and suggest to parliament to change the election rule and postpone the early elections. The anti-government protests and demonstrations continued in the next days and weeks in several cities.
On 26 May Macedonian media released that next day in the parliament will begin a procedure for impeachment of president Ivanov supported by main opposition party SDSM, other parties from the opposition coalition such as NSDP and LDP, other parties such as DOM and DS, and ruling DUI. On 6 June there was a huge anti-government demonstrations in Skopje and Bitola. The demonstrations give ultimatum to 18 June on government and president Ivanov to resign. The same day president Ivanov overturned abolition. On 17 June there was an anti-government protest to warn the government and president that thus is last day from the ultimatum from the "Протестирам" to Ivanov and government to resign. On 20 June, tens of thousands took part of massive anti-government demonstrations in capital Skopje.

Reactions

Domestic

After three political parties asked him to reconsider, President Ivanov announced on 15 April that he will stand by his decision regarding the amnesty of politicians. He said, "I think the decision protects the state interest and I inform you that I am standing by it." When the EU offered to host negotiations in Vienna, Zaev stated that he would only be willing to do so if "Ivanov withdraws all the pardons he granted, and... parliament re-convenes and revokes the decision to call elections on June 5th, because there are no conditions for it." In late April police placed five demonstrators under house arrest, among them Zdravko Saveski and Vladimir Kunovski, members of presidium of "Levica", for vandalizing the presidential offices.
One of the country's largest parties and member of the government coalition, the ethnic Albanian party Democratic Union for Integration, questioned the legitimacy of the elections for June 5, saying that they would not be possible without the opposition's participation. On May 11, another two Albanian parties in Macedonia proclaimed that they would join the boycott of the elections.

International